That's a long time ago. Mike is a terrific guy. He brought my kids into the paddock at Del Mar, took pictures with everyone standing near the jocks room....he is good people.

Glad he turned the corner.

Blah blah blah

Smith SUCKS. No sense of pace, terrible handling (a stumbler and bumbler) and finishes like Channing Hill and Quinonez and the others. Oh, and, his lack of nuts is right up there in Johnny V territory.

Can you imagine this horse with someone who can actually FINISH a race? Someone who is able to take a tight hold, stick in stride, and provide some help in getting to the wire.

Smith knew exactly what he was doing when he started bawling like a baby after the race. He knew he ****ed up and it wasn't when he got outrun early.

No problem, Rock

I lift with them a couple times a week


It's a good idea to stay on their good side. :D

Fixed that again for you.

I don't know if that is Smith's style or the horses he rides are closers.

Clearly, Z is that type of racer and so was Giacomo. Jock probably has to have a good sense of pace and timing to win on a closer. Maybe Smith gets the come from behind racers becasue he is good on that type.

Smith didn't get to the HOF by being "popular".

I called him classy because of the way he has carried himself under intense pressure and because of the way he cares about the horse.

Not to change the subject - but I'm interested in who this group would name as a great jockey - I saw some GREAT riders in the 70's and 80's in NY - -Cauthen, Cordero, Velasquez, etc.

but in his prime, for my money, I'd take Laffit Pincay, Jr. in a heartbeat

I automatically thought of Brett Prebble but since a lot of people don't really know who he is over here I'll say Fallon.

Masterful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXc1...eature=related

You follow Euro racing and I wanted to ask someone who did but is it true that Murtagh is being ditched by Ballydoyle? I saw something yesterday that said Christophe Soumillon is the leading candidate to take over. I think Soumillon is a good rider.

Yeah agree a very good rider.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39366

Maybe I'm crazy and Brock might have some insight but I think Fallon returns.

Do you think David Flores would have been better? He rode her the first three times and if wasnt for him to stay in So Cal to ride Bobs Black Jack in the '08 SA derby instead of the Apple Blossom he still would have been her jockey.

Interesting name, Julien Leparioux has come up.

Laffit Pincay is my top choice. Cordero would probably be second.

Kent D was awesome before he succumbed to spontaneous brain damage.

P.Val as well, until that fateful ride on the nondescript Bill Spawr filly, Long Long Trail.

When was that in relation to when he stopped riding Paddy to let the other nice horsie pass him so he could be 2nd?

Hmm, about 20 years, give or take.

:tro:

I wonder if he'd even be interested. He's carved out a nice niche in America and has the backing of a few big stables. To say his Breeders' Cup was disappointing is an understatement since he rode in 12 of 14 races. It seems like he'll keep getting on decent 2YOs until they've McPeeked.

Wow you just coined a great phrase!

Bravo, Sir. :tro:

Who exactly is he first call for?
Mcpeek is all I can think of.